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The Joys of Yiddish Hardcover – January 1, 1968

4.6 out of 5 stars 83

A Relaxed Lexicon of Yiddish, Hebrew and Yinglish Words Often Encountered in English, Plus Dozens That Ought to Be, with Seredipitous Excursions into Jewish Humor, Habits, Holiday, History, Religion Ceremonies, Folklore, and Cuisine, the Whole Generously Garnished with Stories, Anecdotes, Epigrams, Talmudic Quotations, Folk Sayings and Jokes, from the Days of the Bible to Those of the Beatnik.

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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ McGraw-Hill; 5th ptg edition (January 1, 1968)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 533 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 5551903478
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-5551903475
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.33 pounds
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 83

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Leo Rosten
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
83 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2023
Product was in great shape
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2023
I've given number of these as gifts for family and friends who want to learn a bissele Yiddish
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2021
This is the go to book for explanation and usage of yiddish words. Ilearned a lot.Not only meanings,but pronounciation and examples of how these colorful words are used in context.
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2013
I enjoyed reading and re-reading each entry. This is my 3rd copy since I lend this book to many friends, both Jewish and non-Jewish individuals since so many words of Yiddish have entered the English vocabulary. The two other books by Leo Rosten (THE EDUCATION OF H*Y*M*A*N* K*A*P*L*A*N deserve to be read; dealing with the adventures within a class of English for the foreign-born) to help put the Yiddish personality in perspective.
This is not a book for linguists but more for social psychologists or those in search of a humorist's approach to the Yiddish language.

gvlad46
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2021
Seller gave excellent description of condition, probably a bit more critical than I am. Book is interesting to equate Yiddish to Hebrew to English.
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2013
I thought I was purchasing the hardback copy of this book, as shown in the photograph. Instead I received a yellowed, old paperback edition. I complained and subsequently was not charged, which was really decent of the seller. Neither was I asked to return the item. So I am lucky to have obtained a copy of the text, however teensy the print, broken the spine, and brittle, yellow, and old the pages are.
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2014
Older book, condition as described. This was a wry gift for someone who may never fully grasp the text. It's a genetic thing. The book itself is an excellent read but most of its subtle points will be lost on those with little exposure to Yiddish. Except for anyone living in New York City or nearby. They will all understand.
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2015
Funny
Informative
Amusing

Top reviews from other countries

Marc Elton
5.0 out of 5 stars This book will make you laugh and help you understand Jew ish humour.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2020
This book will make you laugh and help you understand Jew ish humour. It can be read by the bed,con the way to work or in the toilet! Excellent therapy . .
Michael Bennett
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2017
A funny informative book about a magical language that should not be allowed to fade away
One person found this helpful
Report
Lc Poole
5.0 out of 5 stars Service & Quality Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2015
Excellent Service, excellent quality as a used item